A sneak thief has made off with a collecting tin raising cash for Torbay's homeless at Christmas after pouncing on a book stall in Torquay's indoor market. The thief tore the tin from its chain and made off with his haul, estimated to be at least £50 and possibly more.

Angry market traders say they think they saw the thief preparing to lift the collecting tin.

The tin was raising money for the Friends of Factory Row, who work with homeless people in Torquay. The market has donated a barrow to the charity, which has used it to set up a book stall. The collecting tin works as an 'honesty box' for people to give a donation in return for any books they take.